NO175766B - Rengjöringsutstyr - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning equipment, switchable between washing operation for washing with sanitary water and foam application with cleaning agent mixed with the water via an injector (8), and having interchangeable nozzles for the various operations connected to the equipment by a hose, one can switch between the various operation modes from the handset, as the equipment comprises a pressure or flow sensor (42), which registers pressure or flow difference at interchange between washing nozzle and foam applicator and having a connection to the injector (8). Accordingly the equipment switches automatically between the various operation modes dependent on the different nozzles. The function is based on a specially designed change-over valve, which partly functions as injector and partly allows free liquid flow without injector effect. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to cleaning equipment where it can be switched between flushing operation for flushing with service water and foaming with cleaning agent mixed with the water and/or disinfection with disinfectant mixed with the water via an injector system, and with replaceable nozzles connected to the equipment with hoses designed for the different modes of operation.

There are low-pressure cleaning systems in the form of mobile and stationary systems intended, among other things, for use when cleaning walls and floors in factory rooms, production equipment, associated transport systems such as transport trolleys, transport boxes, containers, molds etc. and can also be used for indoor and outdoor cleaning of vehicles. The facilities are distinguished by, among other things, in that they operate at low pressure, e.g. around 22 bar in comparison with high-pressure systems.

The stationary facilities include a main station and a number of satellite stations, possibly exclusively a main station. The main station is supplied with water from the service water installation and includes a centrifugal pump to increase the water pressure. From the main station, the water is distributed via a fixed pipe installation to the satellite stations. The individual stations, including the main station, are supplied with compressed air from an existing compressed air system or a compressor for the purpose.

What the main station and the satellite stations have in common is that they include a three-way valve for switching between flushing operation and foam application or disinfection. During flushing operation, a large amount of water is directed under high pressure directly to the station's hose connection. When applying foam, the three-way valve is adjusted so that the water is led to an injector with a hose connection for a suction hose that is inserted loosely into a can of cleaning agent. The injector thus sucks cleaning agent from the can to mix with the water, and compressed air is added to the mixture for foaming. Disinfection is carried out in a similar way by sucking disinfectant from a canister, but without the subsequent mixing of compressed air.

The cleaning begins by opening the water with a shut-off tap next to the station, just as the three-way valve is turned from the closed position to the flushing position. In advance, the hose is connected to the station and the gun is equipped with a flushing nozzle. When moving away from the station, a flush is carried out. When converting to foam application, you must return all the way to the station to set the three-way valve in the foam application position. The road can be made difficult by moving around among production and pipe facilities. The same stretch of road thus has to be covered twice, whereas one can manage with one, if one could freely switch between flushing operation and foam laying, regardless of where one is in relation to the station.

It has been realized with the present invention that the valve arrangement can be considerably simplified while at the same time giving the possibility of switching between flushing operation and foam application or vice versa, regardless of where one is in relation to the station, namely with a simple injector system consisting of a switch valve with a rotationally symmetrical valve body rotatably stored in the liquid flow passage of the valve housing designed with two intersecting channels, one of which has a relatively large cross-section and forms a flushing channel, while the other has a smaller cross-section and forms an injector channel, and where the valve body can be rotated between a position where the flushing channel is located in continuation of the valve body's liquid flow-through passage for dispensing water without additives and a transverse position, where the flush channel is in connection with an additive intake on the side of the valve body for intake of additive, and where the injector channel lies in the valve body's flow-through passage device for providing an injector action for suction and mixing of additive in the water.

When the flushing channel assumes its flushing position, the water velocity in the passage will be relatively low, so that it does not give rise to any injector effect, while such an effect will appear in return in the other valve position, where the thinner injector channel interacts with the valve barrel. As the water pressure is unchanged, the water speed through this thinner channel will be noticeably increased, namely sufficient to create a negative pressure in the now transverse flushing channel, through which the additive can then be sucked in from the side inlet.

With the invention, a three-way valve and a special injector unit can therefore be replaced with a simple tap valve with an additional inlet on the side, which is an extremely noticeable simplification.

In order to prevent water from running out through the additive intake during flushing, a one-way valve can be inserted into this, preferably integrated with the valve. The injector effect is optimal when the injector channel which is on one side of the flushing channel, and which forms the injector outlet, has a larger diameter than the part of the injector channel which is on the other side of the flushing channel and which forms the injector inlet. The cross-section of the injector outlet is adapted to the increased amount of liquid resulting from the addition of cleaning agent/disinfectant to the water flow. The larger opening area also produces a self-cleaning effect should there be any residue left in the opening after completion of foam application/disinfection. When restarting, the residues will be flushed out.

It is noted that the valve body can be spherical, cylindrical, truncated or have a corresponding rotationally symmetrical shape.

As previously stated, the simplification of the valve arrangement opens up the possibility that from the end of the hose you can freely switch between flushing operation and foam application or vice versa, regardless of where you are in relation to the station. This is achieved according to the invention in that there is a pressure or flow meter which registers the pressure or flow difference when switching between the flushing nozzle and foam application nozzle and with a connection to the valve which switches between flushing operation and foam application. In this way, regardless of where you are in relation to the station, you will be able to freely switch between flushing operation and foam application only by switching between the flushing nozzle and the foam application nozzle. When changing to disinfection, one still has to return to the facility to change to a canister of disinfectant, which is why the compressed air supply can be interrupted manually at the station.

The invention shall be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which

figure 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section through a valve according to the invention, in the flush mode position,

figure 2 shows a horizontal longitudinal section through the valve in the flush operating position,

figure 3 also shows a horizontal longitudinal section, but with the valve body in the injector position and with the attached hose connector,

Figure 4 schematically shows a first solution for automatic switching between the cleaning equipment's different modes of operation,

figure 5 shows purely schematically the principle of a specially designed restrictor valve for limiting the liquid flow,

figure 6 shows in more detail another solution for automatic switching between the equipment's different modes of operation,

figure 7 shows a concrete embodiment of limiter valves combined with the diverter valve shown in figures 1-3,

figure 8 shows an enlarged longitudinal section of the restrictor valve shown in figure 7,

figure 9 shows another form of restrictor valve combined with the diverter valve shown in figures 1-3,

Figure 10 shows a third solution for automatic switching between the equipment's different modes of operation, and

figure 11 shows a fourth and second solution for automatic switching between the equipment's different modes of operation.

The valve shown can be of the ball valve type with a valve housing 2 with inlet 4 and outlet 6. In the side of the valve housing 2 there is a hose connection 8 with a built-in one-way valve 10. The valve is also provided with an operating handle 12 which is designed to stand in two different operational positions, namely along and across the direction of flow between connections 4 and 6 respectively.

The associated valve or plug body 14 is designed with a continuous, wide flushing channel 16 which forms the valve's primary flow channel, through which the valve is fully open for flow during flushing operation, and with a perpendicular secondary injector channel 18 which is divided into a narrow channel part 20 on one side of the flushing channel 16 and a further channel part 22 on the other side of the flushing channel.

In Figures 1 and 2, the valve body 14 is shown shaded in the position in which the channel 16 is continuous from the inlet 4 to the outlet 6. Here, the injector channel 18 will be open to the side inlet 8, but as the water velocity is relatively low through the wide flushing channel 16, no injector effect occurs, and furthermore, the one-way valve 10 is inserted on the injector side, so that there is also no expression of flow-through water through the connection 8.

In figure 3, the valve body 14 is shown in its transversely rotated position, in which the narrow channel part 20 lies outside the valve inlet 4 while the further part 22 abuts the valve outlet 6. The wide flushing channel 16 is now transversely positioned and is open to the narrow side nozzle 8. At the inlet 4, the water will flow through the narrow channel part 20 at a greatly increased speed, which results in the formation of a negative pressure at the mouth of this channel part in the flushing channel 16, and this results in a suction from the injector side via the side nozzle 8. The water and the injected liquid is sprayed out through the further channel part 22 to the valve outlet 6, and the valve thus now works as an injector unit.

It has been established that the unit shown is distinguished not only by an extremely simple mechanical structure, but also operationally by a very effective mixing of the injection medium, and it thus appears to be an operational advantage that the injection takes place through a relatively large space at the mouth of the narrow channel part 20.

During use of the flushing channel 16, it is immaterial whether it is the narrow or wider part of the injector channel 18 that protrudes from the side nozzle 8.

The following will describe examples of stationary low-pressure cleaning systems with a main station and satellite stations based on the previously mentioned valve, and utilizing the valve's ability to switch between flushing operation and foam application from the end of the hose, regardless of where you are in relation to the station in question .

Referring to figure 4 of the drawing, service water is led through a pipeline 24 to the valve 26, as there is a shut-off tap outside the station. For installation and repair reasons, this tap will still always be present, so the station can be installed and repaired without having to shut down the entire system.

The valve 26 is connected to two inner cylinders 28,30, more specifically the valve body is connected to the piston rods 34,36 of the two cylinders by a connecting rod 32. The front end of the cylinder chamber in the cylinder 28 is pipe connected 38 to the valve through an opening in the side of the valve housing opposite the suction opening. The front end of the cylinder chamber of the second cylinder 30 is the pipe connection 40 to the pipeline downstream of the valve, while the rear end of the chamber is the pipe connection 52 to the pipeline upstream of the valve.

Immediately after, i.e. downstream of the valve 26, but before the cylinder's pipe connection 40, a specially designed limiting valve 42 is inserted in the pipeline, which can limit the liquid flow. The valve 42 comprises a conical valve seat 44, cf. figure 5, and an associated valve body 46 which is spring-loaded 48 to open position against the liquid flow. In the valve body there are two flow-through holes 50, through which a limited amount of liquid can flow when the valve body is in the closed position.

In flushing mode, the arrangement is in the position shown in Figure 1. When switching to foam application, the spray nozzle is replaced with a foam application pipe and when the gun/cock is opened, a large amount of water is sent through the diverter valve 26, which is constantly in the spray operation position. The large amount of water causes the restrictor valve 42 to close so that only the limited passage of water through the openings of the valve body. This causes a large pressure drop from the inlet side of the diverter valve 26 to the outlet side of the restrictor valve which causes the piston of the cylinder 30 to change position, i.e. the piston is pushed to the top due to the pressure difference in the pipe connections 40, 52 above the valves. The rod connection 32 will turn the diverter valve's valve body to suction position. The thereby reduced amount of water through the valve 26 will cause the restrictor valve 42 to open again. At the end of the movement path for the second hydraulic cylinder's 28 piston rod, there is a valve 54 which is influenced by the rod to open for the supply of compressed air to the pipeline. The station is thereby shifted to the foam laying position. This position is indicated by the dashed line in figure 4.

One of the advantages of the system is that it automatically reverts to flushing mode when the foam application is interrupted. The pressure that builds up in the system when the gun closes will affect the cylinder 28 through the line 38 and turn the valve 26 to flush operation. The second cylinder 30 will only follow as it is pressure neutral. There is the same pressure on both sides of the piston. The foam delivery pipe is replaced with the flushing nozzle and the system has been switched to flushing mode.

In the event of a temporary interruption of foam operation, the system will itself search for the flush operation position, but when the gun is activated, the system will automatically go into the foam operation position, as the foam spreading tube is on. During foam operation, this temporary return to the flush operation position will thus not be noticed, as it only occurs when the foam application is temporarily interrupted.

The third mode of operation is disinfection, where the diverter valve 26 is also used for suction of disinfectant. However, the mode of operation presents a single difficulty, as a disinfection nozzle is used with a small amount of water output. At start-up, the gun can only be opened without a nozzle attached, which results in a large amount of water that turns the system into suction mode, after which the nozzle is fitted. If you now interrupt the disinfection, the system automatically returns to flushing mode, but as the disinfection nozzle is attached, when restarting, you do not get the large amount of water as with foam application, which can switch the system to suction mode. Instead of disassembling the nozzle every time, it can have a tap in a side outlet for a large amount of water, which can be activated at the moment of starting.

In terms of construction, the two cylinders can be placed on the same side or replaced with a single cylinder. An example of this is shown in figure 6 of the drawing. The cylinder 56, which is a so-called differential cylinder, has a suitable difference in the areas on the sides of the piston, so that the pressure difference based on the area is sufficient to take care of the switching of the valve 26. The cylinder is on the smallest area side of the piston, the hose connection 58, the pipeline 24 upstream of the valve 26, and the other side downstream of the valve 26 and the restrictor valve 42. The piston rod 60 of the cylinder is rod connected 32 to the valve body of the valve. Flush operation is here the extended position of the piston. The addition of air is controlled here with an air valve 62 which is spring-loaded to close, so that the compressed air is interrupted during flushing operation. Foam operation and disinfection operation take place with the piston in the bottom position. When changing from the spray nozzle to the foam nozzle, the restrictor valve 42 will close. The significantly greater pressure on the upstream valve 42 is superior to the areal pressure difference on the piston, and pushes the piston to the bottom and thus turns the valve 26 into the foam operating position. At the same time, the end of the connecting rod 32 activates the air valve 62 to open, so that compressed air flows through a reduction valve 64, a one-way valve 66 and finally through a nozzle 68 the liquid flow is added for foaming. The reduction valve is also connected to a manometer. When switching back to flushing mode, the pressure difference on the piston will push it to its extended position, and the air valve 62 will cut off the compressed air. It is realized that the system will automatically return to flush operation as the initial position. Disinfection takes place as previously described by "cheating" the facility with a tap in the disinfection nozzle.

The limiter valve 42 is purely schematically shown in figure 5 of the drawing. An embodiment of this is shown in more detail in figure 7 of the drawing together with the diverter valve with an intermediate piece 68, so that the valves appear as a unit. The restrictor valve, which is shown detached in figure 8, comprises an outer jacket 70 with insert 72,74 with internal thread at both ends. At the drain end there is a circumferential collar 76 with a groove for receiving an 0-ring which forms the valve seat 44. Between the collar and the end of the second insert, a rib skeleton 78 is deposited which carries the valve body 46 which is spring-loaded to the open position, the body carrying a central stem 80 which is guided in the skeleton, and around which a spring 48 is stored between the skeleton and the underside of a nut 82 on the end of the threaded stem 80. In the valve seat there is a hole 50 which allows the passage of a smaller amount of liquid in the valve's closed position, i.e. when the valve body is in contact with the valve seat, which is controlled between the skeleton's side ribs 84. As the valve seat consists of two disks with holes that can be turned over each other, the flow passage can be easily adapted to the current situation.

It turns out that in special cases a throttle valve can be used as a limiting valve. Figure 9 of the drawing shows an example of a design also assembled with a diverter valve in a similar way as in Figure 7. However, the strong narrowing 86 in the valve generally causes a large pressure drop across the valve, which is undesirable during flush operation. The way it works is otherwise the same as previously described. When changing from a flush nozzle to a foam nozzle, the amount of liquid is increased significantly, and the resulting pressure drop across the valve activates the cylinder and sets the changeover valve in the foam position.

Although the force required to turn the valve body of the shift valve 26 is relatively modest, it does require relatively large cylinders or cylinders due to the modest forces in a low-pressure system. Furthermore, a differential cylinder is relatively expensive to purchase. As there will always be compressed air present, this can be used to activate the diverter valve with, for example, an air cylinder and control this using the liquid pressure/flow. An embodiment of this is illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawing, where 88 indicates the inlet for service water while 90 indicates the liquid outlet with a quick-release connection for hose connection. Otherwise, 26 indicates the diverter valve and 42 the limiter valve as shown in figures 7 and 8. The diverter valve's hose connection for intake of cleaning agent/disinfectant is indicated by 8. Liquid connections are indicated by a dashed line, while compressed air connections are indicated by a dotted line. The valve body of the changeover valve is connected here via a short arm 92 to the compressed air cylinder inner 94 piston rod. This cylinder 94 is controlled via a set of air contacts 96 which are activated by a small liquid cylinder 98 connected to the pipeline 24 respectively the upstream diverter valve 26 and the downstream limiting valve 42 corresponding to the example in figure 6. The end of the liquid cylinder 98's piston rod carries a plate piece 100 which activates the air contacts 96, where the the top two are usually closed, while the bottom two are open. The station's initial position is flushing mode. When changing to foam laying, the liquid part behaves as previously described, i.e. the piston rod of the liquid cylinder 98 goes to the bottom where the air contacts are activated. The top set of contacts opens, while the bottom set closes. The compressed air comes from the reduction valve 102 via a manifold 104 over the contacts of a T-piece 106, where the air is led to the cylinder 94 at 108 and presses the piston down, whereby the diverter valve is turned into the injector position. From the T-piece's second branch, compressed air is led to a valve 110, from which compressed air is fed to the liquid through one-way valve 66 and nozzle 68 as before. When switching back to flushing mode or temporarily interrupting foam application, the liquid side behaves as before, i.e. the cylinder 98 returns to the initial position and activates the air contacts so that the upper set closes, while the lower one opens. Compressed air will then flow from the regulator via the manifold over the bottom contacts to the air cylinder's other end at 112, whereby the piston pushes out and the diverter valve turns to flush position. As the air is simultaneously broken to the compressed air-activated air valve 110, the compressed air supply to the liquid flow is interrupted. Disinfection takes place as previously described. The system works as before, as only a compressed air cylinder has been inserted as an aid for activating the diverter valve. For that matter, an electric linear actuator could have been inserted.

A variant based on the above-described design example is shown in Figure 11 of the drawing. Instead of the diverter valve, there is here a by-pass 114 above the restrictor valve 42, where the valve seat is otherwise unbroken, i.e. completely shuts off the liquid flow when activated, so that the liquid flow is led through by-pass, in which there is a regular injector 116 with a hose connection 8 for the intake line. Above the restrictor valve 42 sits, as before, a small liquid cylinder 98 with a plate piece 100 at the end of the piston rod, and which activates an air contact 96 that opens and closes the compressed air supply 118. The station is shown in flushing mode, where the compressed air supply is interrupted, and the water flows straight through the restrictor valve 42. When switching to foam laying, the restrictor valve reacts to the built-up pressure and closes, whereby the water is led through the by-pass. The small liquid cylinder likewise reacts to the pressure build-up and the piston goes to the bottom, whereby the air contact is influenced by the plate piece to open, and compressed air is supplied to the liquid via reduction valve 64, one-way valve 66 and air nozzle 68. When switching back to flushing operation, the pressure falls over the restrictor valve 42, and this opens , as the fluid cylinder 98 returns to its initial position, and the compressed air supply is interrupted. In the event of a temporary interruption of the foam application, the station itself will seek to return to the flushing mode. Disinfection takes place as previously discussed.

With the invention, a cleaning device has thus been provided where, at the end of the hose, you are able to switch between flushing and foam operation. The equipment also has the advantage that it automatically returns to the flush position. Another obvious advantage is the simple constructive structure of the equipment. Although the invention is particularly described in connection with a stationary low-pressure cleaning system, it is obvious that the invention's application is not limited thereto.

Claims (10)

1. Low-pressure cleaning equipment, where it can be changed between flushing operation for flushing with operating water and foam application with cleaning agent mixed with the water via an injector system, and with replaceable nozzles connected to the equipment with hoses designed for the different modes of operation, characterized in that it comprises a pressure or flow-dependent sensor (42), which registers pressure or flow difference when switching between flushing nozzle and foam application nozzle and with connection to a diverter valve, and where a valve body (14) is connected to pressure- or flow-dependent drive devices (28,30,56,94) for switching between flushing operation and foam application. 2. Low-pressure cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the injector system consists of a diverter valve with a rotatably stored rotationally symmetrical valve body (14) in the liquid flow passage (4,6) of the valve housing (2) designed with two intersecting channels, one of which has a relatively large cross-section and constitutes a flushing channel (16), while the other has a smaller cross-section and constitutes an injector channel (20,22), and where the valve body (14) can be rotated between a position where the flushing channel (16) lies flush with the valve housing's fluid flow passage ( 4,6) for dispensing water without additives, and a transverse position, where the flushing channel is in connection with an additive inlet (8) on the side of the valve housing for intake of additive, and where the injector channel (20,22) is located in the valve housing's through-flow passage (4 ,6) for providing an injector effect for sucking in and mixing additive in the water. 3. Cleaning equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that there is a one-way valve (10) in the additive intake (8) for blocking the intake when the valve is in flushing mode. 4. Cleaning equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that the part of the injector channel which lies on one side of the liquid flow channel, and which constitutes the injector outlet (22) has a larger diameter than the part of the injector channel which lies on the other side of the liquid flow channel, and which constitutes the injector inlet (20). 5. Cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a flow limiting valve in extension of the diverter valve (26). 6. Cleaning equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that the flow limiting valve's valve body is spring-loaded (48) to open against the flow direction, and that there is a smaller flow passage (50) in the valve body (46). 7. Cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device comprises two cylinders (28,30) where one (30) on the bottom side of its piston is connected to the pipeline upstream of the valve (26) and on the top side of the piston, is connected to the pipeline downstream to the valves, and that the top side of the second cylinder's (28) piston is connected to the valve housing (2) opposite the suction opening. 8. Cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device comprises a single cylinder (56), a differential cylinder, where the underside of the piston is larger in terms of area than the upper side, and that the top end of the cylinder housing is connected to the pipeline upstream of the valves (26,42) and the bottom end downstream of these. 9. Cleaning equipment according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cylinders during foam application operation influence a valve for opening the addition of compressed air to the media flow. 10. Cleaning equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve body (14) of the diverter valve (26) is activated by a compressed air cylinder inside (94) which is controlled by the liquid cylinder (98) via control devices such as air contacts and air valves.